Auburn Women Wearing Down Opponents in NIT (updated)

“You’ve got to give Auburn credit because they wear you down.” That sounds like a quote from one of Auburn’s football opponents. But this time it came from the Old Dominion University Women’s Basketball Coach, Karen Barefoot. She was referring to her team’s loss to Auburn in the second round of the National Invitational Tournament on Monday night.

The Tigers wore down the Monarchs 82-59. It was the second dominating performance by the Tigers in the last week. With the victory coupled with Auburn’s convincing victory over Furman Thursday, it appears Coach Terri Williams- Flournoy has her team playing with the high pressure defense and explosive offense that has brought her over 400 wins in her career.

This NIT Tournament marks Coach Flo’s sixth postseason appearance in ten seasons as a head coach including having led Georgetown to the NCAA Tournament in 2010 and 2011.

Old Dominion fought hard and kept the game close in the first half but couldn’t withstand Auburn’s attacking style. The Tigers really poured on their inside game outscoring the Monarchs 44-14 in the paint including 30 -4 in the second half. Senior guard Tyrese Tanner led the way once again with 24 points, four rebounds and five assists.

The Monarchs’coach said. “I thought we had a great game plan, and we only had seven turnovers in the first half – really being patient. (But) they wear you down.” Barefoot continued, “It got away from us in the second half where they sped us up and either they got turnovers or we had quick shots. They got out in transition and really attacked the basket.”

Yes, Gus Malzahn is not the only Auburn Coach to have an attacking style of offense designed to wear down opponents; when Coach Flo’s teams are clicking, they are hard to stop.

And now Auburn advances to play Mississippi State in Starkville at 7 p.m. Thursday in the third round of the Tournament. Hopefully the Tigers will continue this level of play all the way and bring Coach Flo her first championship on The Plains. Good luck ladies and …

War Eagle!

Update:The game was tied at 54 with 1:43 to go but All-SEC senior Tyrese Tanner and post players Tra’Cee Tanner and Peyton Davis fouled out and could only watch from the bench as Miss. State scored the last five points to end Auburn’s season with a 59-54 win. Still proud of our Tigers – War Eagle!

P W Elder is a Civil War buff, upland bird hunter, and Auburn blogger. He loves tailgating with his family and friends, following all things Auburn, and spending time with his wife in the Loveliest Village on the Plains. View Profile →